Angels gamble on prove-it players with cheap deals, sparking debate over their puzzling offseason strategy and uncertain 2026 outlook.
The Los Angeles Angels have had a very interesting offseason, to say the least.
It began by hiring Kurt Suzuki as the new manager, but it was surprising that the Angels gave him only a one-year deal.
The Angels then signed a ton of players to low-priced, gamble deals in hopes of one or two of them panning out in 2026.
They also traded away Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for injury-prone pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, so LA's offseason is a bit puzzling so far.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic had grades for each team as of Feb. 2, and he gave the Angels a C+ grade.
Here are some notable moves they have made thus far:
RHP Kirby Yates 1-year, $5 million
LHP Drew Pomeranz 1-year, $4 million
RHP Jordan Romano 1-year, $2 million
RHP Alek Manoah 1-year, $1.95 million
3B Yoán Moncada 1-year, $4 million
The Angels also acquired OF Josh Lowe in a three-team deal and took a flier on Vaughn Grissom in a trade with the Boston Red Sox, so they have added plenty of prove-it players who are looking for another chance to bounce back in their respective MLB careers.
Bowden does have the Angels finishing in last place in the American League West, and there are just so many unknowns on this roster despite making a flurry of moves.
Will Pomeranz or Yares provide meaningful innings? Will Rodriguez return from injury to be a quality starter? Will superstar Mike Trout finally get back to his All-Star form?
Also, giving Suzuki a one-year deal to be the manager is a bit of a head-scratcher, although that could be due to the likely MLB lockout coming in 2027.
Veterans Alek Manoah and Jordan Romano are players who could very well turn things around with a change of scenery, so at the very least, it is a little encouraging that the Angels are even taking a chance on some guys with cheap deals.
On top of that, there is a scenario where the Angels try and bring in longtime Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen in free agency, although Gallen suddenly became a hot name on the market after Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez signed a massive deal with the Detroit Tigers.
For the Angels, they could see a couple of these moves work out, but there is so much uncertainty in Anaheim once again.